Soldier and Helena native reports on progress in Iraq
By DOUGLAS WISE - Your Turn - 08/03/08
After completing a tour in Iraq, I thought the people of Montana would like to hear some of the positive progress being accomplished, to not only rebuild Iraq, but to stabilize it economically, politically, and from a security standpoint as well.
As a U.S. Air Force asset, I had the unique opportunity to work as part of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in their Gulf Region Division (GRD) headquarters in the International Zone, Baghdad, Iraq. As a program manager, I oversaw the development and implementation of more than 600 projects worth $1.213 billion via the Provincial Reconstruction Development Committee (PRDC) program, the Infrastructure Security Program (ISP), and the Basrah Children’s Hospital (BCH).
The intent of the PRDC program is to strengthen Iraqi decentralized self-governance and provide community services to local Iraqis. This program provides allocations of funds ($700 million to date) to each of the 18 provinces in Iraq. The PRDC, made up completely of local Iraqis, is part of each province’s Provincial Council. These local Iraqis determine the projects and their priority. They then work with the Coalition Provincial Reconstruction Teams and the USACE to finalize the design, cost estimate, bill of quantities, statement of work, etc. After approval by the U.S. Embassy and GRD, the project is contracted out for execution. It should be noted that 90 percent of the GRC projects go to Iraqi firms, providing a secondary effect to support their economy. When the PRDC started in 2007, initial projects focused on basic infrastructure (water, electricity, sewers, roads, etc). Subsequent projects included clinics, water compact units, and schools. Today, some of the more robust provinces are initiating projects to provide infrastructure that develops their economy.
This includes fish markets, meat markets, date processing plants, asphalt plants, slaughterhouses, etc. As this program matures, we are shifting towards service projects and self-reliance on the part of the Iraqis. Instead of focusing solely on infrastructure, we are now moving towards projects that will maintain the existing projects previously completed. This includes maintenance of utilities, schools, clinics, and other facilities. Included in these projects is training of the local Iraqi populace as we transition over the operations and maintenance to their responsibility. Eventually, the entire PRDC program will shift to the Iraqis; from budgeting and project approval to execution and maintenance. All in an effort to establish a decentralized governmental system and process that has not been in place in Iraq for the past 30 years.
The intent of ISP is to harden the Iraqi oil, electrical, and water infrastructure. One of the key areas of this program is protecting the oil pipelines with Petroleum Exclusion Zones (PEZs). By simply digging ditches, placing berms, and fencing along each side of the Iraqi pipelines, these PEZs have served as a deterrent to both insurgents trying to blow up the lines as well as local Iraqis tapping into the lines for personal gain. In conjunction with the PEZs, the Iraqi government is working in tandem to repair damaged and out-of-date lines and the Iraqi Army is constructing HQ and Company Battalion facilities as well as guard houses to protect this critical infrastructure. The result: the Bayji to Kirkuk PEZ project, which cost $30 million to construct, resulted in an immediate flow of product to the Bayji refinery and on to market. Today, the Iraqi government has tens of billions of dollars in its coffers solely due to this effort. These funds are flowing back into the Iraqi economy through increases in Iraqi wages, provincial allocations, and even to support some U.S. programs. A case in point is the Commander’s Emergency Response Program (CERP), which just received $300 million in funds from the Iraqi government. This is yet another example of the Iraqis stepping up to fund programs formerly supported by the U.S. taxpayer as we continue to transition to complete Iraqi control.
The last program I oversaw was the BCH, a 94-bed pediatric oncology and training hospital, the first of its kind in 28 years in Iraq. As the incidence of pediatric cancer is 8-10 times higher in Iraq than modern countries, this project will fill a desperate need. This project has visibility by the FLOTUS and Secretary of State and is one of the primary projects for the Iraqi Ministry of Health. Various agencies have supported this $160 million project, including the DoS, DoD, UNDP/Gov’t of Spain, Project HOPE, and government of Iraq. Despite the many challenges of working in Basrah, construction is moving forward with an estimated completion slated for the end of this year with a phased opening starting early 2009. Iraq’s progress towards democracy is tentative, but moving in the right direction. To use an analogy, the U.S. put Iraq on the bicycle of democracy, they are struggling to reach a balance, and in the near future we will be able to let go and allow them to steer their own course. I am proud to have served the Coalition effort to help stabilize Iraq and look forward to a bright future for the Iraqi people.
U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Douglas P. Wise is a Helena native.
As a U.S. Air Force asset, I had the unique opportunity to work as part of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in their Gulf Region Division (GRD) headquarters in the International Zone, Baghdad, Iraq. As a program manager, I oversaw the development and implementation of more than 600 projects worth $1.213 billion via the Provincial Reconstruction Development Committee (PRDC) program, the Infrastructure Security Program (ISP), and the Basrah Children’s Hospital (BCH).
The intent of the PRDC program is to strengthen Iraqi decentralized self-governance and provide community services to local Iraqis. This program provides allocations of funds ($700 million to date) to each of the 18 provinces in Iraq. The PRDC, made up completely of local Iraqis, is part of each province’s Provincial Council. These local Iraqis determine the projects and their priority. They then work with the Coalition Provincial Reconstruction Teams and the USACE to finalize the design, cost estimate, bill of quantities, statement of work, etc. After approval by the U.S. Embassy and GRD, the project is contracted out for execution. It should be noted that 90 percent of the GRC projects go to Iraqi firms, providing a secondary effect to support their economy. When the PRDC started in 2007, initial projects focused on basic infrastructure (water, electricity, sewers, roads, etc). Subsequent projects included clinics, water compact units, and schools. Today, some of the more robust provinces are initiating projects to provide infrastructure that develops their economy.
This includes fish markets, meat markets, date processing plants, asphalt plants, slaughterhouses, etc. As this program matures, we are shifting towards service projects and self-reliance on the part of the Iraqis. Instead of focusing solely on infrastructure, we are now moving towards projects that will maintain the existing projects previously completed. This includes maintenance of utilities, schools, clinics, and other facilities. Included in these projects is training of the local Iraqi populace as we transition over the operations and maintenance to their responsibility. Eventually, the entire PRDC program will shift to the Iraqis; from budgeting and project approval to execution and maintenance. All in an effort to establish a decentralized governmental system and process that has not been in place in Iraq for the past 30 years.
The intent of ISP is to harden the Iraqi oil, electrical, and water infrastructure. One of the key areas of this program is protecting the oil pipelines with Petroleum Exclusion Zones (PEZs). By simply digging ditches, placing berms, and fencing along each side of the Iraqi pipelines, these PEZs have served as a deterrent to both insurgents trying to blow up the lines as well as local Iraqis tapping into the lines for personal gain. In conjunction with the PEZs, the Iraqi government is working in tandem to repair damaged and out-of-date lines and the Iraqi Army is constructing HQ and Company Battalion facilities as well as guard houses to protect this critical infrastructure. The result: the Bayji to Kirkuk PEZ project, which cost $30 million to construct, resulted in an immediate flow of product to the Bayji refinery and on to market. Today, the Iraqi government has tens of billions of dollars in its coffers solely due to this effort. These funds are flowing back into the Iraqi economy through increases in Iraqi wages, provincial allocations, and even to support some U.S. programs. A case in point is the Commander’s Emergency Response Program (CERP), which just received $300 million in funds from the Iraqi government. This is yet another example of the Iraqis stepping up to fund programs formerly supported by the U.S. taxpayer as we continue to transition to complete Iraqi control.
The last program I oversaw was the BCH, a 94-bed pediatric oncology and training hospital, the first of its kind in 28 years in Iraq. As the incidence of pediatric cancer is 8-10 times higher in Iraq than modern countries, this project will fill a desperate need. This project has visibility by the FLOTUS and Secretary of State and is one of the primary projects for the Iraqi Ministry of Health. Various agencies have supported this $160 million project, including the DoS, DoD, UNDP/Gov’t of Spain, Project HOPE, and government of Iraq. Despite the many challenges of working in Basrah, construction is moving forward with an estimated completion slated for the end of this year with a phased opening starting early 2009. Iraq’s progress towards democracy is tentative, but moving in the right direction. To use an analogy, the U.S. put Iraq on the bicycle of democracy, they are struggling to reach a balance, and in the near future we will be able to let go and allow them to steer their own course. I am proud to have served the Coalition effort to help stabilize Iraq and look forward to a bright future for the Iraqi people.
U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Douglas P. Wise is a Helena native.
Current rating: 4.3 with 6 ratings.
Click here to register
Reader Comments:
MtMadeMan wrote on Aug 3, 2008 9:37 PM:
" al is an obvious democrat propagandist. Unfortunately Col. Wise fought for his right to speak as well as the rest of us since it is not a right if you limit fools from speaking. But like all rights they can be misused by those who see conspiracies behind everything.
Great job Col. Wise.
By the way al, what were you during this time period? "
Great job Col. Wise.
By the way al, what were you during this time period? "
mark1228 wrote on Aug 3, 2008 9:35 PM:
" Thanks for your service and your report. I have said for a long time the mainstream media should be talking to US Service Men and Women returning from Iraq to get the story on what is really happening there. Thanks to the IR for publishing this.
Al- Went to your link. I guess I don't get your point. "
Al- Went to your link. I guess I don't get your point. "
al wrote on Aug 3, 2008 8:57 PM:
" @ MTRICH - There is something rather vile about American soldiers striking, and then publishing, such juvenile poses. It's not macho, or even cute. And when a desk-jockeying propaganda hack like Lt. Col. Wise does it, it's even more disgusting.
No wonder people in the Middle East hate our guts. "
No wonder people in the Middle East hate our guts. "
MTRICH wrote on Aug 3, 2008 2:01 PM:
" al
Thank you for letting us know the truth about Col. Wise. I was just wondering what day that photo ("hilarious imitation of Saddam Hussein") was taken? You clearly have knowledge of those who were "blown to bits" on that day and I would like to know more about it. The postcard was created on April 23rd, 2008. On that day no American deaths were reported though there were 7 reports of violence in Bagdad. Most of those did not invlolve Americans though. Of course that photo was taken prior to the posting but since you have the details I would appreciate it if you would share this with those of us without your knowledge of the day to day activities in Iraq. "
Thank you for letting us know the truth about Col. Wise. I was just wondering what day that photo ("hilarious imitation of Saddam Hussein") was taken? You clearly have knowledge of those who were "blown to bits" on that day and I would like to know more about it. The postcard was created on April 23rd, 2008. On that day no American deaths were reported though there were 7 reports of violence in Bagdad. Most of those did not invlolve Americans though. Of course that photo was taken prior to the posting but since you have the details I would appreciate it if you would share this with those of us without your knowledge of the day to day activities in Iraq. "
barest wrote on Aug 3, 2008 10:30 AM:
" I commend all the efforts that our soldiers have done in Iraq. My brother is in his second tour there and he is happy to witness that women and girls can now walk to school to learn and be a beneficial part of their society. They were never allowed to do that until we stepped in to help them. I greatly apprectiate the work that our soldiers do and fight for so WE as Americans won't have to see it happen to US!!!
Thank a soldier for what they do, and stop making them feel ridiculed for what our stupid political leaders say "for the benefit of the people" to make themselves look good. "
Thank a soldier for what they do, and stop making them feel ridiculed for what our stupid political leaders say "for the benefit of the people" to make themselves look good. "
al wrote on Aug 3, 2008 8:30 AM:
" Lt. Colonel Wise's letter is obviously propaganda that he is required to produce and have published.
Check the following link to see Lt. Col. Wise doing his hilarious imitation of Saddam Hussein, while other U. S. troops in Iraq are being blown to bits -- http://tinyurl.com/665kmv "
Check the following link to see Lt. Col. Wise doing his hilarious imitation of Saddam Hussein, while other U. S. troops in Iraq are being blown to bits -- http://tinyurl.com/665kmv "
Share Article
MTRICH wrote on Aug 4, 2008 6:12 PM: